[Botany • 2025] Syzygium nebulosum (Myrtaceae) • A Novel and narrowly endemic Species from the cloud rainforests of the Wollumbin (Mt Warning) – Tweed volcanic Caldera on the New South Wales – Queensland border, Australia

Syzygium nebulosum L.Weber,

in Weber et Forster, 2025. 

www.qld.gov.au/environment

Analysis of morphological variation for plants previously confused with Syzygium crebrinerve (C.T.White) L.A.S.Johnson due to similar bark and leaf appearance, or S. oleosum (F.Muell.) B.Hyland due to similar fruit appearance, has revealed that a novel species is present in the high elevation (800–1200m) cloud rainforests of the Tweed Range and Springbrook, Lamington plateaux. These plateaux form the northern and western erosional remnants of the ~ 20 million-year-old Wollumbin (Mt Warning) – Tweed volcano. The new species S. nebulosum L.Weber is described with notes on morphology, distribution, habitat, dispersal ecology and conservation status. The biogeographic context and potential threats and conservation status for this species are discussed.

Key Words: Myrtaceae; Syzygium; Syzygium crebrinerve; Syzygium johnsonii; Syzygium nebulosum;

Syzygium oleosum; flora of New South Wales; flora of Queensland; new species; conservation status;

Wollumbin (Mt Warning) – Tweed Volcanic Caldera; biogeography; myrtle rust; refugia

Syzygium nebulosum L.Weber sp. nov. 

Similar to S. crebrinerve (C.T.White) L.A.S.Johnson but differing in having smooth to flaky, pinkish bark, often with numerous coppice shoots at the base of the trunk (vs scaly fissured, fawn to pale pink bark without coppice shoots at the base of the trunk in S. crebrinerve); fresh mature leaves with 14–24 pairs of dark green looping secondary lateral veins (vs fresh mature leaves with 22–35 pairs that are usually the same colour as the lamina and not prominently visible on S. crebrinerve); oil glands are of two types: larger golden glands interspersed with smaller translucent glands (vs one type of translucent gland in S. crebrinerve); new flush of leaves often has a distinctive golden green colour (vs pink to wine red and maturing orange in S. crebrinerve); twigs are covered in smooth peeling maroon to orange bark just below the leaves (vs pinkish non peeling bark in S. crebrinerve); inflorescences are borne in the leaf axils (vs terminal and multi branched in S. crebrinerve); flowers with four creamygolden petals (vs four white or pinkish ...

Suggested Vernacular Name: Caldera Satinash

Etymology: The specific epithet is derived from the Latin adjective nebulosus – subject to cloud and mist or hazy, foggy or obscure. Named for the cloud rainforest environment on the Wollumbin (Mt Warning) – Tweed caldera above 800 m from which the species is restricted to and that is frequently shrouded in mist for up to 70% of the year, and the obscure hazy identity of the species not uncovered for nearly half a century after its first collection.

Lui C. Weber and Paul I. Forster. 2025. Syzygium nebulosum L.Weber, a novel and narrowly endemic species from the high-elevation cloud rainforests of the Wollumbin (Mt Warning) – Tweed volcanic caldera on the New South Wales – Queensland border, Australia. Austrobaileya. 15: 1−27. 

https://www.qld.gov.au/environment/plants-animals/plants/herbarium/austrobaileya

https://www.qld.gov.au/__data/assets/pdf_file/0037/573796/weber-forster-syzygium-nebulosum-page-7.pdf

[Botany • 2025] Dionysia persica (Primulaceae) • A New Species from Shiraz, Iran

 

Dionysia persica Majidi & Alipour, 

in Alipour, Majidi et Jalilian, 2025.  

DOI: doi.org/10.11646/phytotaxa.694.1.7   

 facebook.com: Sajad Alipour 

 

Abstract

A new species, Dionysia persica Majidi & Alipour (Primulaceae) from Shiraz, Iran, is described and illustrated. It is similar to Dionysia bokharii but differs in leaves with usually deeply lobed and pinnately veined with weakly sclerified veins, much shorter calyx and corolla tube, smaller corolla limb with narrower and more distinctly emarginate lobes, and fewer ovules and seeds. Unlike all other Iranian Dionysia species, it is homostylous. A detailed description, photographs, geographical distribution, conservation assessment, and taxonomic comments on the new species are presented.

Dionysia bokharii, Iran, Koh Sorkh, new taxon, Shiraz, taxonomy, Eudicots

Dionysia persica Majidi & Alipour sp. nov.

Sajad ALİPOUR, Ramiar MAJİDİ and Nastaran JALILIAN. 2025. Dionysia persica (Primulaceae), A New Species from Shiraz, Iran.  Phytotaxa. 694(1); 86-92. DOI: doi.org/10.11646/phytotaxa.694.1.7 [2025-03-18]

  facebook.com/100022442722283/posts/1837318840359522

[Botany • 2025] Phragmotheca centinelensis (Malvaceae: Malvoideae or Matisioideae) • A newly-discovered, critically-endangered Canopy Tree Species from a cloud forest in Pacific Ecuador

Phragmotheca centinelensis J.C.Cerón, A.Fernández & J.E.Guevara, 

in Guevara-Andino, White, Pitman, Cerón, Fernández, Navas-Muñoz et Alverson, 2025.  

DOI: doi.org/10.3897/phytokeys.254.143106

Abstract

During floristic inventories in remnant cloud forests of the Centinela Ridge of the Chocó Region of Ecuador, where less than 7 km2 of forest patches remain across an area of approximately 500 km2, we recently collected a new species in the genus Phragmotheca Cuatrec. We describe and illustrate this new species and contrast its morphology with known congeneric species. Due to its small range, threatened habitat and active targeting by loggers, this species is assessed as Endangered under IUCN Criterion B1B2ab(I,ii,iii,v).

Key words: Biological collections, Centinela, deforestation, endemism, extinction, Malvatheca clade, Matisieae, Matisioideae

Phragmotheca centinelensis J.C.Cerón, A.Fernández & J.E.Guevara
A trunk B outer bark C inner bark. Photos of the type individual (Cerón et al. 4643) by Andrea Fernández and Juan Carlos Cerón.

Phragmotheca centinelensis J.C.Cerón, A.Fernández & J.E.Guevara
A flowering branch B flower with reflexed, concave-spoon-like petals C campanulate flowering calyx

 Phragmotheca centinelensis J.C.Cerón, A.Fernández & J.E.Guevara, sp. nov.

  

Diagnosis: The new species is morphologically similar to Phragmotheca hydra Fern.Alonso, but differs by its orbicular to oblong-elliptic (vs. orbicular-cordate) leaves with a mixture of long-branched fasciculate hairs and lepidote-stellate scales in the axils of the mid-vein and secondary veins on the abaxial leaf surface (vs. fasciculate hairs only); larger flowers (3.5–5.0 [including the pedicel] × 2.9–3.5 vs. 2.8–2.9 × 2.8–3.0 cm) with glabrous, concave-spoon-like (vs. linear spathulate) petals; longer, glabrous staminal column (2.9–3.6 vs. 1.7 cm and densely covered by stellate hairs); staminal lobes each bearing 6 thecae (vs. 3–4 thecae); glabrous (vs. sparsely covered with long-branched, fasciculate hairs) style; subcapitate (vs. subacute) stigma; narrower, patelliform fruiting calyx (3.3–3.9 vs. 4–4.5 cm in diameter); and ovoid (vs. globose) fruits that are proportionately more slender (5.0–7.0 × 4.0–5.3 vs. 5.2 × 6.0–6.2 cm in diameter).

 Juan Ernesto Guevara-Andino, Dawson M. White, Nigel C. A. Pitman, Juan-Carlos Cerón, Andrea Fernández, Daniel Navas-Muñoz and William S. Alverson. 2025. Phragmotheca centinelensis (Malvaceae, Malvoideae or Matisioideae), A newly-discovered, critically-endangered Canopy Tree Species from a cloud forest in Pacific Ecuador. PhytoKeys. 254: 41-59. DOI: doi.org/10.3897/phytokeys.254.143106

Resumen: Durante inventarios florísticos en los remanentes de bosques nublados de la cordillera Centinela, en la región del Chocó en Ecuador, donde menos de 7 km2 de parches de bosque permanecen en un área de aproximadamente 500 km2, recientemente recolectamos una nueva especie del género Phragmotheca Cuatrec. Describimos e ilustramos esta nueva especie y contrastamos su morfología con las especies congéneres conocidas. Debido a su distribución restringida, hábitat amenazado y la explotación activa por parte de madereros, esta especie se evalúa como En Peligro según el Criterio B1B2ab(i,ii,iii,v) de la UICN.

Palabras clave: Colecciones biológicas, Centinela, deforestación, endemismo, extinción, clado Malvatheca, Matisieae, Matisioideae

[Botany • 2025] Aristolochia zhuhaiensis (Aristolochiaceae) • A self-supporting New Species from Guangdong, China

 Aristolochia zhuhaiensis Y.Fan Wang & Z.R.Guo,

in Wang, Guo, Landrein, Onyenedum et Liao. 2025. 

DOI: doi.org/10.3897/phytokeys.254.139616 

 

Abstract

A self-supporting new species of Aristolochiaceae, Aristolochia zhuhaiensis Y.Fan Wang & Z.R.Guo, is described and illustrated from Zhuhai City, Guangdong Province, China. Morphologically, this species exhibits vegetative characters, including leaf blade shape and growth form, that are similar to Aristolochia thwaitesii Hook., the only other known taxon in Aristolochia subg. Siphisia in Asia that is non-twining and self-supporting, native to southern Guangdong, particularly the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region. However, A. zhuhaiensis can be readily distinguished from A. thwaitesii by its unique floral morphology. The new species features a campanulate to funnel-shaped calyx limb densely covered with porcelain-white granular pustules. In contrast, A. thwaitesii has an elongated, concave tubular calyx limb with an adaxial surface that transitions from purple to pale yellow or white towards the apex, densely covered with recurved fleshy prickles. Aristolochia zhuhaiensis is endemic to Zhuhai City and has not been observed elsewhere. Detailed illustrations, photographic plates, a distribution map, a digitized holotype voucher specimen, a comparative table, and an identification key are provided to facilitate the differentiation of A. zhuhaiensis from A. thwaitesii.

Key words: Aristolochia subg. Siphisia, conservation status, fieldwork, morphology, taxo­nomy

Line drawing of Aristolochia zhuhaiensis by Ms. Yushan Cai
A habit, showing a subshrubby growth form with basal inflorescences B roots fusiform or globose C, D front and lateral view of the flower E bud F bud sprouts in early development G, H gynostemium I adaxial side of the leaf J abaxial view of the leaf, pinnate venation.

Illustration of Aristolochia zhuhaiensis
A habit in situ B inflorescence in early development C inflorescence D lateral view of the flower E longitudinal section of the flower F front view of the bud G, H front view of the flower, showing the adaxial side of the calyx limb covered with porcelain-white granular pustules I–J gynostemium, from female stage (I) to male stage (J) K leaves (adaxial), L. Leaves (abaxial). Images B–E, I were provided by Mr. Yiwen Jiang.

 Aristolochia zhuhaiensis Y.Fan Wang & Z.R. Guo, sp. nov.

 

Diagnosis. Aristolochia zhuhaiensis shares morphological similarities with A. thwaitesii, both of which are distributed in neighboring regions and represent the only two known self-supporting, non-twining Aristolochia subg. Siphisia species in Asia. In terms of vegetative characteristics, these two congeners are highly similar; however, they can be readily distinguished by their markedly different floral morphologies. Aristolochia zhuhaiensis is characterized by a campaniform-infundibuliform calyx limb densely covered with porcelain-white granular pustules. It also features a conspicuous platform-shaped area beneath the perianth throat, which is white, glabrous, waxy, and slightly elevated upward. In contrast, A. thwaitesii possesses an elongated, concave tubular calyx limb with an adaxial surface that transitions from purple to pale yellow or white towards the apex. This species is entirely covered with recurved fleshy prickles and lacks the distinctive platform structure found in the calyx of A. zhuhaiensis. Detailed morphological comparisons between the new species and A. thwaitesii are shown in Figs 4, 5 and Table 1.

 

Yi-Fan Wang, Zi-Rui Guo, Sven Landrein, Joyce G. Onyenedum, Shuai Liao. 2025. Aristolochia zhuhaiensis, A self-supporting New Species of Aristolochiaceae from Guangdong, China and Notes on Aristolochia thwaitesii. PhytoKeys. 254: 61-76. DOI: doi.org/10.3897/phytokeys.254.139616 

[Botany • 2025] Hyoscyamus labiatus (Solanaceae: Hyoscyameae) • A New Species from Henan, China: Implications for the Delimitation of Hyoscyamus

 

Hyoscyamus labiatus Y. Y. Liu, Q. R. Wang and J. M. Li, 

in Liu, Wang, Mi et Li, 2025. 

DOI: doi.org/10.1111/njb.04525

 facebook.com/NordicJBotany

Abstract

Hyoscyamus labiatus Y. Y. Liu, Q. R. Wang and J. M. Li, a new species of Hyoscyamus (Solanaceae) from Henan province, China, is described and illustrated here. It is morphologically similar to the known species of Hyoscyamus and Archihyoscyamus, but can be distinguished by corolla 2-lipped, adaxial lip 3-lobed and much longer than abaxial lips, tube slender at base, and stamens 5, inserted on inner side of disk, free, obviously unequal, and exceeding corolla. To infer the systematic position of this new species, phylogenetic analysis was performed based on four chloroplast markers, viz rbcL, ndhF, trnC-psbM and trnL-F. According to the phylogenetic tree, Hyoscyamus labiatus is strongly supported as sister to a monophyletic group containing all species of Hyoscyamus and Archihyoscyamus previously described. Morphological comparison and molecular phylogeny confirmed the identity of the species as a new taxon, and that Archihyoscyamus should be included in Hyoscyamus.

Keywords: Archihyoscyamus, Hyoscyameae, phylogeny, Solanaceae, taxonomy

Hyoscyamus labiatus Y. Y. Liu, Q. R. Wang and J. M. Li, sp. nov. 

Yan-Yan Liu, Qi-Rui Wang, Zeng-Lu Mi and Jia-Mei Li. 2025. Hyoscyamus labiatus sp. nov. (Solanaceae) from Henan, China: Implications for the Delimitation of Hyoscyamus. Nordic J. Botany.  e04525. DOI: doi.org/10.1111/njb.04525 [10 December 2024]

 facebook.com/NordicJBotany/posts/1163808125748415

 Researchgate.net/publication/355837769_Hyoscyamus_labiatus_sp_nov_from_Henan_China

[Herpetology • 2025] Iguanas rafted more than 8,000 km from North America to Fiji

 

A Fijian crested iguana (Brachylophus vitiensis) resting on a coconut palm on the island of Fiji in the South Pacific. The four species of iguanas that inhabit Fiji and Tonga today are descended from ancestors that colonized the island within the past 34 million years, probably by rafting 5,000 miles across the Pacific Ocean from western North America.

in Scarpetta, Fisher, Karin, Niukula, Corl, Jackman et McGuire, 2025. 

DOI: doi.org/10.1073/pnas.2318622122

Abstract

Founder-event speciation can occur when one or more organisms colonize a distant, unoccupied area via long-distance dispersal, leading to the evolution of a new species lineage. Species radiations established by long-distance, and especially transoceanic, dispersal can cause substantial shifts in regional biodiversity. Here, we investigate the occurrence and timing of the greatest known long-distance oceanic dispersal event in the history of terrestrial vertebrates—the rafting of iguanas from North America to Fiji. Iguanas are large-bodied herbivores that are well-known overwater dispersers, including species that colonized the Caribbean and the Galápagos islands. However, the origin of Fijian iguanas had not been comprehensively tested. We estimated the phylogenetic relationships and evolutionary timescale of the iguanid lizard radiation using genome-wide exons and ultraconserved elements (UCEs). Those data indicate that the closest living relative of extant Fijian iguanas is the North American desert iguana and that the two taxa likely diverged during the late Paleogene near or after the onset of volcanism that produced the Fijian archipelago. Biogeographic models estimate North America as the most probable ancestral range of Fijian iguanas. Our analyses support the hypothesis that iguanas reached Fiji via an extraordinary oceanic dispersal event from western North America, and which spanned a fifth of the earth’s circumference (>8,000 km). Overwater rafting of iguanas from North America to Fiji strengthens the importance of founder-event speciation in the diversification of iguanids and elucidates the scope of long-distance dispersal across terrestrial vertebrates.

A Fijian crested iguana (Brachylophus vitiensis) resting on a coconut palm on the island of Fiji in the South Pacific. The four species of iguanas that inhabit Fiji and Tonga today are descended from ancestors that colonized the island within the past 34 million years, probably by rafting 5,000 miles across the Pacific Ocean from western North America.

photo: Nicholas Hess

A map of the world 34 million years ago, showing hypothesized scenarios for the colonization of Fiji by Brachylophus. Based on new research, the most likely scenario is represented by the dark blue arrow from western North America to Fiji. The small red stars represent sites in North America where fossil iguanids have been found. The ranges of modern iguanids — in the Americas and Fiji and Tonga — are shown in light blue.

Simon G. Scarpetta, Robert N. Fisher, Benjamin R. Karin, Jone B. Niukula, Ammon Corl, Todd R. Jackman and Jimmy A. McGuire. 2025. Iguanas rafted more than 8,000 km from North America to Fiji. Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences. 122 (12) e2318622122. DOI: doi.org/10.1073/pnas.2318622122 [March 17, 2025]

Iguanas floated to Fiji millions of years ago on an unprecedented raft journey, scientists say

https://news.berkeley.edu/2025/03/17/iguanas-floated-one-fifth-of-the-way-around-the-world-to-colonize-fiji/

https://www.universityofcalifornia.edu/news/iguanas-floated-fiji-millions-years-ago-unprecedented-raft-journey-scientists-say

 

Significance: Transoceanic dispersal to far-away islands is an important mechanism for the generation of new species lineages and biotas and has captivated scientists since at least the time of Darwin. Determining whether and how such events occur is challenging, particularly for hypothesized dispersals spanning thousands of kilometers. We addressed the enigmatic occurrence of Fijian iguanas via phylogenomic and biogeographic analyses, providing strong evidence that iguanas rafted >8,000 km from North America as early as the Paleogene. This represents the longest documented transoceanic dispersal in terrestrial vertebrates. Our findings elaborate on the importance of long-distance dispersal in the diversification of iguanids. Iguanid lizards display a propensity for overwater dispersal, which could stimulate further research into the predictability of these incredible biogeographic events.

[Botany • 2025] Matisia boyacensis (Malvaceae: Malvoideae) • A New Species from the premontane forests of the Cordillera Oriental of Colombia

 

  Matisia boyacensis Torrejano-M, Paz-Lopez & Fern.Alonso, 

in Torrejano-Munevar, López et Fernández-Alonso. 2025. 

DOI: doi.org/10.1007/s12228-025-09828-z 

 Researchgate.net/publication/388729929

Abstract

The new species Matisia boyacensis (Malvaceae) is described and illustrated. The species is assigned to the Calyculatae section of the genus Matisia and is compared to closely related species. Matisia boyacensis is only known from premontane forest matrices and pastures of Boyacá department, in the Cordillera Oriental of Colombia.

Keywords: Boyacá, Malvoideae, Matisieae, sub-Andean forest, zapote

 Matisia boyacensis Torrejano-M, Paz-Lopez & Fern.Alonso.
A. Flower at anthesis. B. Detail of staminal column apex, staminal branches, androecial units, and stigma. C. Adaxial leaf surface. D. Detail of the adaxial leaf surface. E. Abaxial leaf surface. F. Detail of the abaxial leaf surface. G. Detail of buds. H. Peduncle, fruiting calyx and mature fruit. I. Mature fruits cross section showing the five pyrenes (i.e., the seeds surrounded by densely fibrous endocarp tissue).  

  Matisia boyacensis Torrejano-M, Paz-Lopez & Fern.Alonso.
A. Flower with erect petal. B. Bole and outer bark. C. Erect flower buds. D. Floccose indumentum on the upper side of the leaves, and mature fruit with persistent style.

Matisia boyacensis Torrejano-M, Paz-López & Fern.Alonso, sp. nov. 

Etymology. The epithet boyacensis honors the Boyacá Department, within which its sole currently known locality occurs. This department is home to well preserved montane forest remnants and exhibits high biodiversity. Additionally, the name pays tribute to the local inhabitants of this region.

Andrés Felipe Torrejano-Munevar, Carlos Andrés Paz López and José Luis Fernández-Alonso. 2025. Matisia boyacensis (Malvaceae): A New Species from the premontane forests of the Cordillera Oriental of Colombia. Brittonia. DOI: doi.org/10.1007/s12228-025-09828-z [05 February 2025]

 Researchgate.net/publication/388729929_Matisia_boyacensis_a_new_species_from_the_Cordillera_Oriental_of_Colombia

[Botany • 2025] Calea riopardensis, C. roqueana & C. strigosa (Asteraceae: Neurolaeneae) • Three New Species from the Sky Islands of the Espinhaço Range

 

Calea roqueana  & C. strigosa 

V.R.Bueno, Prata-Silveira & Bentes,

in Bueno, Bentes, Ramos, Zavatin et Prata-Silveira, 2025.

 DOI: doi.org/10.11646/phytotaxa.689.2.2

 

Abstract

Thirty five years since the last new species was placed in Calea sect. Lemmatium, three new species for this section are described here: C. riopardensis, C. roqueana, and C. strigosa. These three new species belong to the C. sickii group, which is characterized by the few-headed cymose capitulescence or capitula solitary and ray florets 5–10 per capitulum (when radiate). Calea riopardensis resembles C. repanda, but it differs by the petiole 0.6–0.7 cm long (vs. 1.3–1.5 cm), leaf base attenuate (vs. rounded), and cypselae 3.5–3.8 mm long (vs. 3.0–3.2 mm). Calea roqueana is also similar to C. repanda, but it can be distinguished by the sessile leaves (vs. petiolate leaves), peduncle 1.2–5.5 cm long (vs. 0.45–0.7 cm), and cypselae 3.8–4.6 mm long (vs. 3.0–3.2 mm). Calea strigosa is morphologically close to C. sessilifolia, but it can be individualized by being 0.4–1.0 m tall (vs. 0.1–0.25 m), base subcordate (vs. rounded), and disc floret corolla 6.3–7.1 mm long (vs. 4.3–5.8 mm). These new species are hereby described, illustrated, its conservation status and taxonomic affinities are discussed. In addition, an identification key for the C. sickii group is provided and its geographical distribution is mapped.

Campo rupestre, Compositae, Cerrado, Heliantheae s.l., Eudicots

Calea riopardensis V.R.Bueno, Prata-Silveira & Bentes, sp. nov.

Etymology:—The epithet “riopardensis” is the latinized form of the gentile of the Rio Pardo de Minas, the municipality where the species was collected.

Calea roqueana sp. nov. 
A. Flowering branch. B. Magnification of the teeth. C. Magnification of the glandular-punctate trichomes. D. Capitulum in frontal view. E. Old capitulum in frontal view. F–H. Capitulum in lateral view. I. Radiate floret. J. Disc flore. K. Cypsela.

Image authorship: Danilo A. Zavatin.

Calea roqueana V.R.Bueno, Prata-Silveira & Bentes, sp. nov.

Etymology:—The epithet “roqueana” was given in honor of Dr. Nádia Roque (1970–2024), who was a biologist with master and doctorate degrees in Botany. She was a professor at the Universidade Federal da Bahia (Federal University of Bahia—UFBA) and served as curator of the ALCB herbarium (Thiers 2025) for 11 years, in the vascular plants section. In addition to being a professor, she supervised undergraduate, master›s, and Ph.D. students at the Universidade Estadual de Feira de Santana (State University of Feira de Santana) and at UFBA, focusing on Systematics and Floristics research of Angiosperms, mainly Asteraceae. She was also a CNPq research productivity fellow and collaborated on projects with researchers from the Smithsonian Institution (United States of America), Museo de La Plata (Argentina), and Instituto de Biociências (Brazil). Nádia Roque was a prolific researcher with more than 100 articles published, three books organized or authored, 20 books chapters, and 36 new species described. As a collector, N. Roque made more than 5400 collections, and even the first collection of C. roqueana was made by her.

Calea strigosa sp. nov.  
A. Plant in the habitat. B. Capitulum magnification.

Image autorship: V.S. Miranda.

Calea strigosa V.R.Bueno, Prata-Silveira & Bentes, sp. nov.

Etymology:—The epithet “strigosa” refers to the strigose indument of the stems, abaxial leaf surface, and outer involucral phyllaries of the new species.

Vinícius R. BUENO, Marina Soares BENTES, Renato RAMOS, Danilo A.. ZAVATIN and Ananda PRATA-SILVEIRA. 2025. Three New Species of Calea (Asteraceae, Neurolaeneae) from the Sky Islands of the Espinhaço Range. Phytotaxa. 689(2); 185-203. DOI: doi.org/10.11646/phytotaxa.689.2.2 [2025-02-24]

 www.facebook.com/dtnatemporeal/posts/959455566168693

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1WjZuFCxkLYZpBnMrLVwqixbTyn5yqITq/view?fbclid=IwY2xjawJJx1dleHRuA2FlbQIxMAABHbb306IXFF_AxeIS03yEo78VoY0L_MMzY1PmYXLa4MoPP322LNn2oi3xvQ_aem_d14gHHn3v0oJCXTTuOvwSA

[Ichthyology • 2025] Hypanus rubioi • A New Species of the Genus Hypanus (Myliobatiformes: Dasyatidae) from the Eastern Tropical Pacific Ocean

Hypanus rubioi

Mejía-Falla, Navia, Cardeñosa & Tavera, 2025

 

Longnose Pacific Stingray | Raya picuda  ||  DOI: doi.org/10.1643/i2024010 

 Abstract 

A new species of stingray belonging to the genus Hypanus is described in this study based on data collected in the Eastern Tropical Pacific (ETP) region of Colombia. This new species stands out within the genus by its unique spade-shaped disc with a width-to-length ratio ranging from 1.0 to 1.1, whereas its obtuse snout extends 29–30% of the disc width (DW). This species also stands out due to its large size (125 cm DW). Notably, it has three distinctive rows of enlarged denticles on its mid-scapular area, with the central row extending back to the caudal sting. Additionally, it possesses a long tail that measures 2.2–2.5 times the DW, tapering smoothly. Molecular data also revealed significant differences between this new species and its congeners using COI. The phylogenetic analysis recovered Hypanus rubioi, new species, as the sister species to the western Atlantic Longnose Stingray H. guttatus, with an uncorrected genetic distance of 2.27 to 2.94%. The preliminary ecological niche modeling further indicates that this newly described species is likely associated with coastal regions in the ETP, ranging from central Mexico to northern Peru, with backlight and salinity as the most influential variables. These findings contribute to our understanding of the biodiversity within the genus Hypanus and the ecological distribution of this novel species in the ETP. 

Hypanus rubioi, new species

Specimens of Hypanus rubioi, new species, caught in artisanal fishing operations in Charambirá, Colombian Pacific Ocean (courtesy of WCS Colombia, Julian Caicedo).

Hypanus rubioi, new species

Longnose Pacific Stingray

Spanish name: Raya picuda

Etymology.—The name rubioi comes from the professor Efrain Rubio, who worked for many decades as ichthyology teacher at Universidad del Valle. Dr. Rubio was one of the first researchers interested in the fish fauna of the Colombian Pacific. During all these years at Universidad del Valle, he started the ichthyology collection (CIRUV) in addition to training many generations of young ichthyologists interested in the Pacific fishes of Colombia.

P. A. Mejía-Falla, A. F. Navia, D. Cardeñosa and J. Tavera. 2025. New Species of the Genus Hypanus (Dasyatidae) from the Eastern Tropical Pacific Ocean. Ichthyology & Herpetology. 113(1); 44-60. DOI: doi.org/10.1643/i2024010  (18 February 2025) 

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[Herpetology • 2025] Tantilla palamala • Morphological and Molecular Analyses of Mountain Centipede Snake (Serpentes: Colubridae: Tantilla) reveal A New Species from Venezuelan Andes

 [A-D] Tantilla palamala sp. nov.

Esqueda, Rojas-Runjaic, Correa, Ortiz, Guerrero, Jiménez, Bazó, Moreno-Pérez, Aguilar & Urra,  

[E-F] Tantilla melanocephala (Linnaeus, 1758)  

in Esqueda, Rojas-Runjaic, Correa, Ortiz, Guerrero, Jiménez-Bolaños, Bazó, Moreno-Pérez, Aguilar et Urra, 2025. 

DOI: doi.org/10.20935/AcadBiol7534 

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Abstract

The highest elevations of the Tropical Andes form an archipelago of sky islands, where herpetological diversity is actively evolving. In this study, we combined morphological and molecular data to discover and describe a new snake species of the colubrid genus Tantilla from the middle-upper basin of the Boconó River on the lacustrine slope of the Cordillera de Mérida. This species belongs to the Tantilla melanocephala phenotypic group. Our results align with the previously published data, indicating that Andean populations diverged from a lowland ancestral lineage originating from the Guiana Shield and northern Brazil during the Miocene (~8 million years ago [Myr]). Morphologically, the new species is distinguished from the other members of the genus by its three longitudinal black stripes, the presence of two pale spots on the parietals instead of a pale nuchal band, noncontacting prefrontal and supralabial scales, the first pair of infralabial scales typically separated (rarely in contact), 138–145 ventral scales in males, <60 subcaudal scales in males, 12 maxillary teeth with a moderate diastema and an anterior process on the maxillary bone, and a unilobed, unicalyculate, and noncapitated hemipenis. We discuss the validity of certain available names and the zoogeographic patterns of Tantilla in its northernmost Andean distribution. Furthermore, our study provides the first evidence suggesting that Tantilla species richness may be underestimated in the mountainous regions of northern South America, where allopatric speciation driven by topographic complexity and niche conservatism has likely played a crucial role in the phenotypic and genotypic divergence of centipede snake populations.

Tantilla palamala sp. nov. (a-d)
Life photos of the holotype, MZUC 47710: (a) dorsal view of the body and head, where the dark dorsolateral line can be observed; (b) lateral view of the head, showing the extension of the light band over the snout and the white orbicular spot behind the eye. Paratype, MZUC 47714: dorsal view of the body and close-up of the head in lateral view (c). Paratype, MZUC 47713: lateral and ventral views of the specimen before preservation; note the pale lemon-yellow ventral coloration (d).
Specimen referring to Tantilla melanocephala from Venezuela, MZUC 47717, dorsal view and close-up of the head (e, f).

Tantilla palamala Esqueda, Rojas-Runjaic, Correa, Ortiz, Guerrero, Jiménez, Bazó, Moreno-Pérez, Aguilar & Urra sp. nov.

Definition: (1) 15–15–15 dorsal scales rows, smooth, and without apical pits; (2) eight dorsocaudal scales to the tenth subcaudal; (3) loreal scale is absent; (4) divided cloacal scale; (5) preocular scale is present; (6) rostral visible from above, lateral margins extended and slightly curved similar to gull wings, forming an open V with a >90° obtuse angle, without rostral medial projection and moderate cleft, and margins contacting the prenasal straight or slightly straight; (7) 7(3, 4)/7(3, 4) supralabials; (8) 6(4)/6(4) infralabials; (9) 138–145 ventral scales in males; (10) 53–58 subcaudal scales in males; (11) noncontact prefrontals-supralabial; (12) hexagonal front shield, longer than wide; (13) first infralabial pair ...

Etymology: The specific name is a derived adjective from the Latin words “palam,” meaning in the presence of, openly and “ala,” meaning wing [Brown, 1956] to refer to a visible character in relation to the lateral margins of the rostral in dorsal view, that resemble a gull’s wing, that is, open and forming a V with a >90° obtuse angle and where the internasals tend to be laterally contracted.

Luis Felipe Esqueda, Fernando J.M. Rojas-Runjaic, Claudio Correa, Juan Carlos Ortiz, Pablo Guerrero, Juan David Jiménez-Bolaños, Santos Bazó, Pablo Athenogoras Moreno-Pérez, Melanio Aguilar and Félix Urra. 2025. Morphological and Molecular Analyses of Mountain Centipede Snake (Serpentes: Tantilla) reveal A New Species from Venezuelan Andes. Academia Biology. 3(1):1-25. DOI: doi.org/10.20935/AcadBiol7534

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 Researchgate.net/publication/389852684_Morphological_and_molecular_analyses_of_mountain_Tantilla_reveal_a_new_species_from_Venezuelan_Andes

[Ichthyology • 2025] Acrossocheilus dabieensis • A New Species of the Genus Acrossocheilus Oshima, 1919 (Cypriniformes: Cyprinidae) from the Dabie Mountains, Henan, China

Acrossocheilus dabieensis Chen & Zhao,
  

in Chen, Xu, Li, Hu, Gao et Zhao, 2025. 

DOI: doi.org/10.3390/ani15050734 

Abstract

Acrossocheilus Oshima, 1919, a cyprinid genus of Cyprinidae in southern China and currently comprises 26 valid species. In this study, we describe Acrossocheilus dabieensis sp. nov. from the Dabie Mountains, China. This new species differs from its congeners by the following combination of characters: The second primary vertical bar (PB2) is situated beneath the anterior origin of the dorsal fin in females and subadult males. Vertical bars extend to the end of the ventral abdomen in juveniles, and they gradually recede above the lateral line in adult females, whereas they are absent in adult males. The last unbranched dorsal-fin ray is slender with a smooth posterior margin. Phylogenetic analyses based on the mitochondrial DNA sequences indicate that A. dabieensis sp. nov. is a monophyletic group, and it forms a sister group with A. kreyenbergii, reinforcing the status of the new species. A key to the barred species of Acrossocheilus is also provided.

Keywords: biodiversity; Cyprinidae; Henan; new species; taxonomy

Acrossocheilus dabieensis Chen & Zhao, sp. nov.

Habitat and adult habitus of Acrossocheilus dabieensis sp. nov.
(A) Type locality in Liankangshan National Nature Reserve, Luoshan County, Henan Province, China;
(B) male subadult habitus (HENUJGT0019); (C) male adult habitus (HENUJGT0010);
(D) female subadult habitus (HENUJGT0011); (E) female adult habitus (HENULKS0012).

Diagnosis. Acrossocheilus dabieensis sp. nov. can be distinguished from its congeners by the following morphological characteristics: (1) The second primary vertical bar (PB2) situated beneath the anterior origin of the dorsal-fin in females and subadult males (Figure 2B), (2) in juveniles: vertical bars are distinct and extend to the end of the ventral abdomen (Figure 2C). In adult males: vertical bars gradually vanish with increasing age. In adult females: vertical bars gradually recede above the lateral line with increasing age. (3) The last unbranched dorsal-fin ray is slender, and the posterior margin smooth. (4) Intestinal coiling is folded and elongated (Figure 2D,E).

Etymology. The name of the new species, dabieensis, is derived from the name of the mountains, Dabie Mountains, the type locality of the new species (Figure 1). The suggested common English name is “Dabie Mountains Acrossocheilus” and the Chinese name is “Dà Bié Shān Guāng Chún Yú”.

 Tian-En Chen, Jia-Xin Xu, Peng-Ju Li, Huan-Fu Hu, Kai Gao and Hai-Peng Zhao. 2025. A New Species of the Genus Acrossocheilus Oshima, 1919 (Cypriniformes: Cyprinidae) from the Dabie Mountains. Animals. 15(5), 734. DOI: doi.org/10.3390/ani15050734 [4 March 2025] 

Simple Summary: The family Cyprinidae Cuvier, 1817 includes more than 3000 species worldwide and has an important influence on the freshwater fishery economy. Acrossocheilus Oshima, 1919 is a group of small- to medium-sized barbine species, which are widely distributed in Laos, Vietnam and southern China. One new species, Acrossocheilus dabieensis sp. nov., from the Dabie Mountains, Henan Province, China, is described and illustrated in this study.

[Paleontology • 2021] Yakemys multiporcata • A large Macrobaenid Turtle (Cryptodira: Macrobaenidae) from the Basal Cretaceous of Thailand, with a Review of the Turtle Fauna from the Phu Kradung Formation and Its Stratigraphical Implications

Yakemys multiporcata 

 Tong, Chanthasit, Naksri, Ditbanjong, S. Suteethorn, Buffetaut, V. Suteethorn, Wongko, Deesri & Claude. 2021 

  

ยักษ์คีมิส มัลติพอร์คาตา  | เต่ายักษ์ หมวดหินภูกระดึง  ||  DOI: doi.org/10.3390/d13120630 

 Researchgate.net/publication/356680277

Abstract

Yakemys multiporcata n. g. n. sp. is described on the basis of shell elements from the upper part of the Phu Kradung Formation (basal Cretaceous), Khorat Plateau, NE Thailand and assigned to Macrobaenidae. The new taxon is unusually large for an early macrobaenid (with an estimated carapace length about 70 cm) and is characterized by a large, rounded, low shell, the presence of a midline keel and numerous additional strong ridges on the carapace, the anterolateral margin upturned to form a gutter, posterolateral peripherals mesiolaterally expanded, narrow vertebrals, the vertebral 4 triangular and narrowed posteriorly, a greatly reduced plastron with a short bridge, an oval and elongate entoplastron with reduced ventral exposure, and strip-shaped epiplastra. The discovery of a macrobaenid turtle provides further support for an Early Cretaceous age for the upper part of the Phu Kradung Formation.  

Keywords: Testudines; Macrobaenidae; Yakemys multiporcata; Phu Kradung Formation; Early Cretaceous; Khorat Plateau; Thailand

  (A), Map of northern Thailand showing location of Sam Chai area, and outcrops of the Phu Kradung Formation; (B): Geological map of Sam Chai area (modified from [Bumrungsong & Yamunsabideen, 2009]; (C): Stratigraphical column of Ban Hui Yang site; (D): Field work.

 Yakemys multiporcata n. g. n. sp. from the upper part of the Phu Kradung Formation (basal Cretaceous) of Khorat Plateau, NE Thailand. Holotype (SM KS39) from Ban Hui Yang locality, Sam Chai District, Kalasin Province.
(A, B) Carapace in dorsal view; (C, D) shell in ventral view; (E) detail of ornamentation of the carapace surface (on costal 2, indicated by a white rectangle on A), and (F) neural 6–8 with adjacent costal fragments in ventral view.

 Scale bar = 10 cm for (A–D,F) and 2 cm for (E). 

Abbreviations: co, costal plate; Ma, marginal scute; n, neural plate; pe, peripheral plate; py, pygal plate; spy, suprapygal plate; V, vertebral scute.

Testudines Linnaeus, 1758

Cryptodira Cope, 1868

Macrobaenidae Sukhanov, 1964

Yakemys multiporcata n. gen. n. sp.

Diagnosis: A genus of Macrobaenidae of large size, with the carapace length about 70 cm and a combination of characters that differs from all other Macrobaenidae as follows: narrow vertebral scutes; vertebral 4 triangular and narrowed posteriorly, strong midline keel extending to the suprapygal 2, large lateral longitudinal keels on the vertebral region, and additional ridges on the pleural region; plastron reduced, with a triangular short anterior lobe, epiplastron reduced to a strip-shaped plate, entoplastron oval in dorsal view but with a much reduced ventral exposure and an extremely reduced bridge that is shorter than the anterior lobe.

Etymology: Genus name from Yak, giant in Thai (ยักษ์); species name from Latin “multi”: multiple; porcata: from Latin “porca”, ridge.

 

 

Conclusions: 

Yakemys multiporcata n. g. n. sp. represents one of the earliest Macrobaenidae hitherto known, and this finding extends the paleogeographical distribution of the group to SE Asia. The discovery of a macrobaenid turtle in Thailand provides further support for the Early Cretaceous age of the upper part of the Phu Kradung Formation and the new evidence of faunal exchange between the SE Asia and more northern parts of mainland Asia at the very beginning of the Cretaceous. Yakemys multiporcata commonly occurs together with Basilochelys macrobios, although both turtles were likely aquatic animals as indicated by their low shell; the different morphology of the shell, especially the plastron, suggests that these turtles had different modes of life. Further discovery of more complete material, especially skull and limb bones, is expected for a better understanding of the phylogenetic relationships and the lifestyle of this strange turtle.

Haiyan Tong, Phornphen Chanthasit, Wilailuck Naksri, Pitaksit Ditbanjong, Suravech Suteethorn, Eric Buffetaut, Varavudh Suteethorn, Kamonlak Wongko, Uthumporn Deesri and Julien Claude. 2021. Yakemys multiporcata n. g. n. sp., a large Macrobaenid Turtle from the Basal Cretaceous of Thailand, with a Review of the Turtle Fauna from the Phu Kradung Formation and Its Stratigraphical Implications. Diversity. 13(12), 630. DOI: doi.org/10.3390/d13120630 

 Researchgate.net/publication/356680277_Yakemys_multiporcata_a_Large_Macrobaenid_Turtle_from_the_Basal_Cretaceous_of_Thailand

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